Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Fuel Poverty

lord bird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, or intend to make, of the report by the Institute for Public Policy Research,Beyond ECO: the future of fuel povertysupport, published on 3 July,and its conclusion that they are set to miss their 2030 target of delivering energy efficiency measures for fuel poor households as set out in their reportCutting the cost of keeping warm – a fuel poverty strategy for England (Cm9019), published 3 March 2015,by at least sixty years.

lord henley: We recently announced that the Energy Company Obligation will be entirely focused on low income households from later in 2018, in a new scheme that will run to 2022. We also committed in the Clean Growth Strategy to extending energy efficiency support from 2022 to 2028 at least at the current level of ECO, bringing the total investment to over £6bn over the next decade. As part of this we will review the best form of support beyond 2022, recognising the need to both save carbon and meet the Government’s commitment to upgrade all fuel poor homes to EPC Band C by 2030. Research such as the July IPPR report provide valuable inputs to decision making around achieving the target. The latest statistics show that there were nearly 800,000 fewer E, F or G rated fuel poor homes in 2016 compared to 2010 and that we had reached 91% of fuel poor homes were rated E or above in line with our 2020 milestone. The initial focus of our work on fuel poverty has been to improve the least energy efficient homes. We are aware that this focus on the worst homes has meant that we have not yet begun to improve the proportion of fuel poor homes rated C or above and we will be assessing the appropriate policy mix to improve fuel poor homes to that standard over the 2020s.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Intelligence Services: Detainees

lord hodgson of astley abbotts: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement made by the Minister for Europe and the Americas on 2 July (HC Deb, col 26) with respect to the publication of the Intelligence and Security Committee reports into detainee mistreatment and rendition, what criteria they will take into account as part of their "careful consideration of calls for a judge-led inquiry"; and whether they intend for the update "within 60 days of publication of the reports" to take the form of a ministerial statement.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: As Baroness Goldie said on 2 July, the Government will aim to provide a full and formal response to the Intelligence and Security Committee's Detainee Inquiry within 60 days of the publication of their reports.

Turkey: British Nationals Abroad

lord patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 3 July (HL8831), what assessment they have made of (1) the prison conditions in which British nationals are held in Turkey, and (2) those prisoners' ability tocommunicateregularly with family and friends in the UK.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: Our consular staff do not conduct formal assessments of prison conditions as they are not a monitoring body. A detained British national can contact our Embassy with any concerns about prison conditions and impact on their welfare. Consular staff will then raise these concerns directly with the appropriate authorities.The prisons in Turkey have a set procedure to ensure detainees have regular contact with friends and family. Detainees are allowed visits from friends and family following a request in advance through our Embassy. Detainees can apply for immediate family members to be placed on a telephone list so that they can call them regularly. They can also send and receive letters or faxes.

Turkey: Religious Freedom

lord patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 10 July (HL9039), whether they have received representations from British faith groups seeking to open buildings for worship in Turkey.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​We are not aware of any such representations.

USA: Russia

lord truscott: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the outcome of the Helsinki Summit on 16 July between President Trump and President Putin.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We have been clear that a functioning relationship between Russia and the US is in all our interests. As the Prime Minister set out at Chequers with President Trump, we welcome the initiative to meet with President Putin.We have also always been clear that as we engage Russia we do so from a position of unity and strength - holding out hope for a better future, but also clear and unwavering on where Russia needs to change its behaviour for this to become a reality. And, as long as Russia persists in its efforts to undermine our interests and values, we must continue to deter and counter them.

Gibraltar: Spain

viscount waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the new government of Spain regarding Gibraltar.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The UK continues to engage constructively with the Government of Gibraltar and our European partners, including Spain, to address the practical implications arising from our EU exit. We are confident all sides are committed to finding a mutually agreeable resolution benefitting everyone living and working in the region.  The UK stands by its assurances to Gibraltar never to enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another State against their freely and democratically expressed wishes. Furthermore the UK has given an assurance that it will not enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content. This is the so called “double lock” guarantee”.

Iran: Terrorism

lord maginnis of drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the arrest of an Iranian diplomat in Germany in connection with the planned terrorist bomb attack on a meeting of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Paris on 30 June.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We are concerned by reports that an Iranian diplomat may have been involved with a plot against a conference in Paris, and understand that investigations are ongoing in a number of European countries. We are not aware at this stage of a link to the UK.

Iran: Terrorism

lord maginnis of drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken with European allies, including Germany and Belgium, to ensure Iran cannot use its embassies to harbour suspected terrorists.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We work closely with our European partners on security and counter-terrorism issues. We are clear that the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations requires that the premises of a diplomatic mission are not used in any manner incompatible with the functions of the mission as described in the Convention or by other rules of general international law.

Iran: Terrorism

lord maginnis of drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the light of the expulsion of Russian diplomatic staff following the Novichok nerve agent case, they plan to expel Iranian diplomatic staff following the planned terrorist bomb attack on a meeting of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Paris on 30 June; if so, when; and if not, why not.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We understand that European partners’ investigations into this incident are ongoing. We continue to work closely with our European partners on security and counter-terrorism issues.

Iran: Terrorism

lord maginnis of drumglass: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Germany to encourage it to extradite to Belgium the Iranian diplomat arrested in connection with the planned terrorist bomb attack on the meeting of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Paris on 30 June.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We have not received or made specific representations from other governments on the arrest of an Iranian diplomat in Germany but we are concerned by reports that an Iranian diplomat may have been involved with a plot against a conference in Paris. We work closely with our European partners on security and counter-terrorism issues.

Bahrain: UN Human Rights Council

lord scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the concerns expressed by Olivier de Frouville at the meeting of the UN Human Rights Council on 4 July about alleged reprisals against Bahraini activists attending Human Rights Council sessions, including Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The UK will continue to engage the Government of Bahrain on its reform agenda. If we have concerns about human rights, including alleged reprisals, we will continue to raise them at an appropriate level, both in private and in public.We have received assurances from the Bahraini authorities that there have been no reprisals against the family members of Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei. We understand that he has been able to continue with his work in the UK.We encourage those with concerns about any form of mistreatment to report these to the appropriate oversight body. We urge these oversight bodies to carry out swift and thorough investigations into any such claims.

Intelligence Services: Equality

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the report by the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, Diversity and Inclusion in the UK Intelligence Community,published on 18 July, what plans they have to address the lack of gender and ethnic diversity of those in senior positions in security and intelligence agencies.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​I refer the noble Lord to the Prime Minister's statement of 18 July. The Government will give full consideration to the conclusions and recommendations of this important report, and will respond formally within 60 days of the report's publication.

Cameroon: Commonwealth

lord boateng: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Commonwealth Secretariat about the compliance of Cameroon with the Harare Declaration and its continuing membership of the Commonwealth.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The UK High Commissioner to Cameroon discussed the situation in Cameroon with the Secretary General of the Commonwealth during her visit in December, and again in January. The UK will continue to discuss this with the Commonwealth Secretariat, as it does a range of issues relating to the Commonwealth's fundamental political values, which are enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter.

Cameroon: Human Rights

lord boateng: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the willingness and capacity of the government of Cameroon to investigate alleged human rights abuses in Anglophone Cameroon.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​The British Government is clear that human rights are universal and must apply equally to all, and that all allegations of abuse must be investigated, including in Cameroon. We welcome the decision of the Government of Cameroon to open investigations into alleged abuses in Anglophone regions and other parts of the country. We want to see an end to violence, and a meaningful process of dialogue to address the core issues in Cameroon. We will continue to engage with the Government of Cameroon on these and wider issues and underline that all parties have a responsibility to work for peace and stability, and to use legal and peaceful means to voice grievances.

Cameroon: Human Rights

lord boateng: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the capacity of the Commonwealth Secretariat to promote human rights in Cameroon.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The Commonwealth Secretariat plays a valuable role in supporting member states, including Cameroon, to uphold the values and principles enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter, to which member states reaffirmed their "unwavering commitment" at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in April (CHOGM).At CHOGM the UK announced £0.5 million of funding to fund additional human rights advisers in the Commonwealth Secretariat's Small States Office in Geneva, to support the engagement of Commonwealth states with the UN Human Rights Council and its Universal Periodic Review process. We will continue to support the Commonwealth Secretariat in promoting Commonwealth values and principles, including through our High Commission in Cameroon, as well as across all member states through our network of High Commissions.

Zambia: Hippopotamus

lord jones of cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Zambia about the proposal for a cull of hippos to be conducted by trophy hunters on the Luangwa River.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The British Government is aware of the proposal for a cull of hippos on the Luangwa River in Zambia and the High Commissioner raised it with the Minister for Tourism and Arts on 27 June. The Minister of State for Africa (Harriett Baldwin MP) raised the importance of protecting wildlife with the Government of Zambia when she visited on 25 and 26 July. We are committed to co-operating with the international community to address the threats to endangered species such as hippos.

The Senior Deputy Speaker

Parliament: ICT

lord lucas: To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker when he expects the sharing of contact information between Outlook and other applications on parliamentary mobile devices to resume; and whether he is aware of any other large organisations which have similar restrictions on the sharing of contact information between applications in this way.

lord laming: The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chairman of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf. The issue relates to a new security feature introduced as part of Apple’s iOS update, which affected the sharing of contact information between the Outlook app and other apps on Apple devices. The Parliamentary Digital Service is currently working with Microsoft to introduce a fix for this which meets Parliament’s security requirements to ensure that parliamentary data are held securely, and in particular to ensure that access to data through non-parliamentary apps does not compromise security. Once they have a revised fix from Microsoft it will be tested and then if viable released to users. Parliament’s approach towards the management of and access to its data is common to that followed in many organisations.

Department for International Trade

Trade Agreements: Japan

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the EU-Japan bilateral trade deal signed this week will affect potential future trade arrangements between the UK and Japan after Brexit.

baroness fairhead: We welcome the recent signature of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Last year, our Prime Ministers agreed to ‘work quickly to establish a new economic partnership between Japan and the UK based on the final terms of the EPA’ as the UK leaves the EU. Our aim is to transition the terms of the EPA smoothly as the basis for our future trade and investment relationship, providing the continuity and certainty UK and Japanese businesses have told us are their priorities.

Ministry of Defence

Armed Forces: Unmanned Air Vehicles

lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential for unmanned transport systems to supply troops on the front line.

earl howe: The Defence Scientific and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) is leading the Ministry of Defence's research in this area, working with the US Department of Defense to accelerate and demonstrate the effective use of new robotic and autonomous systems technologies. This includes the 'Last Mile Challenge' innovation initiative which has challenged industry and academia to look at how delivery drones and resupply robots can provide vital reinforcements to frontline troops. The challenge is worth a total of £3.8 million over the next 12 months with prototypes being built for demonstration later this year. Four of the five successful organisations are British-led with a wide range of sub-contractors from small and medium sized enterprises, industry and academia. These capabilities and other emerging military technologies will be tested and evaluated at the Autonomous Warrior, Army Warfighting Exercise in November 2018. The exercise, which involves all three Services, DSTL, the US Army and around 50 industry participants, will test a range of research projects including in surveillance, long-range and precision targeting, enhancing mobility and the re-supply of forces, urban warfare and enhanced situational awareness. The lessons identified will support decision making for future investment in ground-breaking technology and innovation to ensure the Army and British industry remain at the cutting edge of technology and combat tactics.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Food: Waste Disposal

baroness featherstone: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan toestablish separate mandatory food waste collections in England by 2025 as recommended by the National Infrastructure Commission in itsNational Infrastructure Assessment 2018, published in July; and if so, when.

baroness featherstone: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recommendation of the National Infrastructure Commission that mandatory food waste collections should be introduced in England to support the production of biogas.

baroness featherstone: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the figure provided in the National Infrastructure Commission'sNational Infrastructure Assessment 2018, published in July, that introducing mandatory separate food waste collections in England by 2025 would save (1) up to £400 million in capital costs, and (2) £1.1 billion in operational costs for local authorities in total between 2020 and 2050, including the cost of weekly collections.

baroness featherstone: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage local authorities who have waste contracts to renew in the next three years to introduce mandatory separate food waste collections following the recommendations of the National Infrastructure Commission'sNational Infrastructure Assessment 2018, published in July.

lord gardiner of kimble: The UK government has committed to work towards no food waste being sent to landfill by 2030 in its Clean Growth Strategy, published in October 2017. 113 local authorities out of 326 in England currently offer a separate food waste collection service and we encourage all local authorities to consider introducing separate food waste collection when opportunities arise to include these in collection contracts. In the 25 Year Environment Plan, we committed to working to support an increase in the number of councils with separate food waste collections. We will outline our plans for this in our Resources and Waste Strategy, which will be published this autumn. This will include how we will fulfil our commitments to the circular economy package where bio-waste including food waste recycling must be offered for households. We recognise the energy generation potential of food waste, when collected separately and sent to anaerobic digestion (AD), though we need to be conscious of some of the unintended consequences for air pollution that can arise. We will consider the recommendations of the 2018 National Infrastructure Assessment in the development of the Resources and Waste Strategy.

Plastics: Exports

lord beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they intend to take in response to the report by the National Audit Office,The packaging recycling obligations, published 23 July, that expresses concerns about the export of plastic waste for recycling.

lord gardiner of kimble: We have already committed to reforming the packaging waste regulations and will be consulting on proposals later this year. As part of this process, we will review the National Audit Office report and take account of the recommendations where appropriate.

Plastics: Recycling

lord mawson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the system of plastic bottle recycling used in Norway.

lord gardiner of kimble: As the Minister responsible for this policy area, in late 2017 Dr Thérèse Coffey visited Norway to find out more about the deposit return scheme (DRS) in operation there. This includes polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic drinks containers within the scope of collection for recycling. Minister Coffey met representatives of Infinitum AS (the DRS operator and administrator) and TOMRA (a manufacturer of reverse vending machines which accept plastic bottles returned by consumers). The Minister also tested reverse vending machines in a supermarket. The Government has confirmed that it will introduce a DRS in England, subject to consultation later this year. This visit has informed the development of the consultation.

Flood Control

lord shipley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the financial impact on taxpayers of protecting new homes from flooding where those homes have been built in areas of high flood risk.

lord gardiner of kimble: Planning guidelines since 2008 have been clear that development in areas at risk of flooding should be avoided unless it is made safe, does not increase flood risk elsewhere and is appropriately flood resilient and resistant. This was reinforced in the national planning policy framework (NPPF) and strengthened in the revised NPPF published on 24 July. The government’s funding policy published in May 2011 states that new properties built after 1 January 2012, or existing buildings converted into housing after that date, should not be counted when risk management authorities are making the case for government funding support to build or improve flood defences.

Treasury

Duchy of Cornwall: Property Transfer

lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Duchy of Cornwall property used by Bishop Peter Ball was transferred into the private ownership of the Prince of Wales; and, if so, whether the transfer was approved by HM Treasury; and, if so, whether at (1) an independently audited commercial rate, or (2) a discounted rate.

lord bates: This is a matter for the Duchy of Cornwall. The Duchy of Cornwall Management Acts 1863 and 1982 set out the requirement for HM Treasury approval. I understand that the property was fully marketed and disposed by the Duchy of Cornwall estate at arms-length to a third party in 2015.